Accessible Education Counselor/ Learning Disability Specialist

Definition

Distinguishing Characteristics

Under the direction of Dean of Student Support, and the Director of Accessible Education Center (AEC), the Counselor/Learning Disability Specialist will function as a key member of an integrated support team dedicated to serving students with disabilities.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate for this position is an equity-minded individual who understands the importance of creating opportunities for students who have been historically underserved, particularly in the disability community. Gavilan seeks candidates who view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility and who strive to reframe inequities as a problem of practice. The ideal candidate demonstrates a commitment to student-centered counseling practices, effective cross campus collaboration, and purposeful service to the community and embraces the role of an educator who is continually learning anti-racist pedagogy and adapting to the needs of a diverse student population.

Essential Duties

The following duties are typical of those performed by employees in this job title; however, employees may perform other related duties, and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each employee in the job title:

• 
  Provide Comprehensive Counseling Services:
  • Offer academic, vocational, personal, and disability-related counseling to students.
  • Assist students in understanding educational options, clarifying goals, and developing Student Educational Plans (SEPs) and course selections.
• Develop and Maintain Academic Accommodation Plans (AAP):
  • Create AAPs based on assessments using educational, medical, psychological, and vocational data.
  • Ensure compliance with state and district requirements for AAP documentation.
• Support Student Learning and Development:
  • Assist students in implementing effective learning strategies.
  • Collaborate with faculty to create inclusive academic environments that support student success.
• Assessment and Testing:
  • Administer, score, and interpret standardized tests to determine eligibility for learning disability accommodations.
  • Maintain accurate student records as per district policies and procedures.
• Community and Campus Liaison:
  • Serve as a liaison with campus and community agencies supporting individuals with disabilities.
  • Resolve accommodation issues promptly and effectively involving students, staff, faculty, and the institution.
  • Provide intervention, support, and follow-up services to students on probation or dismissal status.
  • Advocate for students' needs and rights within the institution.
• Participation in College Activities:
  • Participate in transfer and matriculation activities.
  • Teach courses within the discipline, contribute to curriculum development, outcomes assessment, and program review processes.
  • Utilize advanced counseling methods and student development theories, integrating technology to support student learning and career objectives.
• Professional Engagement, Collaboration and Campus Governance:
  • Engage in ongoing professional learning, particularly in areas of disability services, accessibility, equity, and inclusion.
  • Attend and contribute to departmental and divisional meetings.
  • Participate in campus-wide student success initiatives and shared governance.
  • Fulfill other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Education, and Experience

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socio-economic, cultural, ethnic and disability backgrounds of community college students.
• Working knowledge of Section 504, Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability legislation at state and federal levels affecting the provision of disability services at a California community college;
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills (both written and verbal)
• Excellent organizational skills and time management
• Ability to provide culturally relevant counseling and student services to students from ethnically diverse backgrounds, including first generation and low-income students.
• Skilled in advocating for students' needs within the college environment, collaborating with faculty and staff to implement accommodations, and fostering a supportive campus community.
• A commitment to the mission and values of the community college;
• Ability to foster collegiality; Flexibility, including the acceptance of and willingness to change;
• Open-mindedness, including fairness and the ability to see multiple perspectives; The willingness to take risks and be innovative;
• A willingness to see complex tasks through to completion; and
• Ability to travel to area high schools, various college sites, and community agencies during employment.

• Experience in counseling or instruction of students with disabilities.
• Strong advocacy and conflict-resolution skills:

• Effectively advocating for students' rights and accommodations
• Resolving conflict between students, faculty, and staff.
• Facilitating respectful and productive communication.

• Cultural competency and demonstrated commitment to inclusive teaching and counseling practices
• Certification with the Chancellor's Office on the California Community College Model of Assessment of Learning Disabilities (LDESM).
  • If not already certified, enrollment in this training and completion of certification by the Chancellor's Office required within first two years of employment.
• Technological proficiency in using educational technology and software applications for counseling and case management of students.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of an interagency team.

• Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling OR
• Master's degree in counseling, guidance counseling, clinical or counseling psychology, education counseling, social work, career development, *marriage and family therapy or *marriage, family and child counseling AND fifteen (15) or more semester units in upper division or graduate-level coursework specifically related to people with disabilities, OR
  • Completion of six (6) semester units, or the equivalent of graduate-level counseling practicum or field-work in a post-secondary Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) program or in a program dealing predominantly or exclusively with people with disabilities OR
  • Two (2) years of full-time experience, or the equivalent, in one or more of the following:
    • Counseling students with disabilities OR
    • Counseling in industry, government, public agencies, military or private social welfare agencies in which the responsibilities were predominantly for adults with disabilities
• The Equivalent
• A lifetime California Community College Disabled Students Programs and Service (DSPS) Instructor Credential authorizing service to teach courses in college for students with disabilities
• Demonstrated ability to develop and employ culturally relevant course content, anti-racist pedagogical techniques, and effective practices for engaging students who are diverse and/or from historically underrepresented groups.

The following documents MUST be uploaded as attachments to your online application:

1. Resume

2. Cover letter that demonstrates how your background. experience, and future goals as an educator embody Gavilan's values.

3. Unofficial College/University Transcripts

NON-DISCRIMINATION: Gavilan College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action/Title IX/Employer of Disabled, committed to hiring a diverse staff. All qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, military status, sexual orientation, or marital status are encouraged to apply. If you have a verifiable disability and require accommodation to complete an application, please contact the Human Resources Office at (408) 852-2823

APPLICATION PROCESS:

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It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications will be rejected if incomplete.

All applicants for faculty and academic administrators must meet the minimum qualifications for the discipline as specified in Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges, published by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. All degrees and credits earned in fulfillment of minimum requirements must be from accredited institutions. Applicants who do not meet the minimum stated educational qualifications may apply for equivalency by submitting the Supplemental Application for Equivalency. (Download PDF reader)

FOREIGN DEGREE HOLDERS

For positions requiring a degree, all foreign degree credentials must be evaluated by a third party to determine the equivalent U.S. degree and major, and the Foreign Credential Evaluation must be attached to your application before your application will be considered. Not attaching your Foreign Credential Evaluation will render your application incomplete. Evaluations should provide the name of the institution attended, a description of your credentials, the major field of study, and the U.S. equivalent for each credential. For a list of evaluating agencies, visit the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Note: Even if you obtained your graduate degree(s) in the U.S., you must attach a Foreign Credential Evaluation for your undergraduate degree if it was obtained outside the U.S.

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